Allergic Reactions to Tree Nuts

Tree nuts can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Allergic reactions can be unpredictable, and even very small amounts of tree nuts can cause one.

If you have a tree nut allergy, keep an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen®, Auvi-Q™ or Adrenaclick®) with you at all times. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

Avoiding Tree Nuts

To prevent a reaction, it is very important that you avoid all tree nuts and tree nut products.

If you’re allergic to one type of tree nut, you have a higher chance of being allergic to other types. For this reason, your doctor may recommend you avoid all nuts. You may also be advised to avoid peanuts because of the higher likelihood ofcross-contact with tree nuts during manufacturing and processing.

Some Unexpected Sources of Tree NutsAllergens are not always present in these food and products, but you can’t be too careful. Remember to read food labels and ask questions about ingredients before eating a food that you have not prepared yourself.

Tree nut proteins can be found in some surprising places, such as cereals, crackers, cookies, candy, chocolates, energy bars, flavored coffee, frozen desserts, marinades, barbeque sauces and some cold cuts, such as mortadella.

Ice cream parlors, bakeries and certain restaurants (e.g., Chinese, African, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese) are considered high risk for people with tree nut allergy. Even if you order a tree nut-free dish, there is high risk of cross-contact.

Tree nut oils, such as walnut and almond, are sometimes used in lotions, hair care products and soaps.

Some alcoholic beverages may contain nut flavoring, so consider avoiding these as well. Because these beverages are not federally regulated, you may need to call the manufacturer to determine the safety of ingredients such as natural flavoring.

Argan oil is derived from the nut of the argan tree and has rarely been reported to cause allergic reactions. While it is not a common food in the U.S., you will often find it in Morocco.

People with cashew allergy may be at higher risk for allergy to pink peppercorn (known as Brazilian Pepper, Rose Pepper, Christmasberry and others). This dried berry (Schinus, related to cashew) is used as a spice but is different from standard black pepper and fruits with “pepper” in their name (e.g., bell peppers, red peppers or chili peppers).

There is no evidence that coconut oil or shea nut oil and butter are allergenic. Coconut, the seed of a drupaceous fruit, has typically not been restricted in the diets of people with a tree nut allergy. However, in October 2006, the FDA began identifying coconut as a tree nut. Medical literature documents a small number of allergic reactions to coconut; most occurred in people who were not allergic to tree nuts.

Will My Child Outgrow A Tree Nut Allergy?

An allergy to tree nuts tends to be lifelong. Research shows that about 9 percent of children with a tree nut allergy eventually outgrow their allergy.

Younger siblings of children who are allergic to tree nuts may be at higher risk for allergy to tree nuts. Your doctor can guide you about testing for siblings.